Pertussis Case at High School

Oct. 2, 2012 - A case of pertussis, or whooping
cough, has been confirmed in Middleburgh High School. The County
Health Department and our school district health care provider,
Nicole Dunn, PA, are closely monitoring the situation with us
and the following information will be sent home to all district
families. Most children have already been immunized against
pertussis. Prior immunization does decrease the risk of getting
the disease; however, immunization does not guarantee that your
child will not develop pertussis.

This is a good time to review your child’s immunization
status. Ideally your children have received five pertussis
vaccines (DTaP) by age 5 and one (Tdap) at age 11. If your
child’s vaccinations are not up to date, vaccinations are
available in the School-Based Health Center for all students
enrolled in the health center.

Parents who suspect their child has been in direct contact
with someone with pertussis should contact their family
physician. Antibiotics may prevent them from becoming ill or may
lessen the severity of the disease. If your child is already
sick, giving antibiotics early can help your child get well
faster and lower the chances of spreading the disease to others.

Pertussis is a highly contagious disease that is spread
through the air by cough. Pertussis can begin with cold
symptoms, low grade fever and a cough, which becomes much worse
over 1 to 2 weeks. Symptoms usually include a long series of
coughs (“coughing fits”) followed by a whooping noise. However,
older children, adults and very young infants may not develop
the whoop. People with pertussis may have a series of coughs
followed by vomiting, turning blue, or difficulty catching their
breath. The cough is often worse at night and cough medicines
usually do not help alleviate the cough.

Please consider the following New York State
Department of Health Recommendations:

• Infants under 1 year of age—especially those under 6
months—are most likely to have severe symptoms if they develop
pertussis. When possible, young infants should be kept away from
people with a cough. Infants with any coughing illness should be
seen promptly by their doctor.

• If your child comes down with cold symptoms that include a
cough, talk with your child’s doctor. Tell the doctor that
pertussis has been seen in your child’s schoolmates.

• If you have reason to suspect your child may have
pertussis, please do not send them to school until you have
discussed the matter with your private physician.

Further information about pertussis is through the links
below. Additional questions and concerns should be directed to
the Schoharie County Health Department at 295-8365 or to your
family physician.